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David Weir unveils new era at Kingsmeadow

Paralympic gold medallist David Weir spoke to Kingston wheelchair users at the ceremony to officially rename the Kingsmeadow Fitness and Athletic Centre as the Weir Archer Athletics and Fitness Centre.

Weir was joined by his long-time coach Jenny Archer MBE at the unveiling of a new plaque to commemorate the new name for the council-run leisure centre.

The pair established the Weir Archer Academy in 2013, with the aim of supporting and coaching young wheelchair racers, and were delighted to become part of Kingston’s health and well-being campaign.

“I’m honoured to have the centre re-named Weir Archer,” said Weir. “I’m so proud of all that Jenny and I have achieved; the academy is in its fourth year and we couldn’t imagine having our academy anywhere else but at Kingsmeadow.”

Weir was convinced to compete nationally after being spotted by Archer whilst training at the centre.

The duo were joined at the ceremoney by the Mayor of Kingston, Cllr Julie Pickering, who described the event as “brilliant”.

“We wanted to honour Weir Archer’s outstanding achievements in wheelchair racing and we thought renaming the athletics and fitness centre at their Kingsmeadow homeground was a fitting tribute.

“We’re campaigning for Kingston to be the London Borough of Culture and I can think of no greater example of why our Royal Borough deserves the title than the work of the Weir Archer Academy. A true grassroots team with fantastic values and a huge sense of community.”

The backing of the Weir Archer Academy is a further boost for Kingsmeadow, which earlier this year received a £500,000 investment into its athletics track.